May I elaborate on it?

No.

As a teller, I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

The Senator's request is granted.

The result of the vote was tied. Where there is an equality of votes, pursuant to Article 15.11.2° of the Constitution, I must exercise my casting vote. In this case, I voted against the question. Is the Order of Business, as amended, agreed to?

No.

I propose a suspension of the sitting for approximately 15 minutes. The decision not to adopt the Order of Business, as amended, has a bearing on the business to be conducted next Tuesday when No. 1 on the agenda was to be the address to the House by the European Commissioner. Perhaps I might return in 15 minutes with a suggestion to deal with the matter.

I propose an amendment to the Leader's proposal to the effect that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, be called to the House to-----

The proposal is not about the Minister but about the ordering of business.

It is about-----

We are only dealing with a suspension of the sitting.

I want to clarify the procedure.

The proposal is that there be a suspension of the sitting for 15 minutes.

A full suspension of the sitting for the day is not being proposed.

No.

I can revert to this issue.

It is just about a suspension of the sitting for 15 minutes.

The House will resume in 15 minutes.

May I have a moment to speak to my colleague, please?

This is not a council meeting.

We are seeking legal advice.

Senator Darragh O'Brien to continue, without interruption.

We need to be clear on the procedure. The Leader's proposal does not involve the formal suspension of the sitting for the day.

No.

I have no difficulty with a 15-minute suspension of the sitting. I am certain everyone wants the European Commissioner to attend the House next week. No one wants to block that happening. However, we will propose an amendment, on foot of a further proposal from the Leader, to the effect that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht attend the House after the suspension for a one-hour debate-----

I can only deal with the proposal that there be a suspension of the sitting for 15 minutes.

-----on the serious issues raised by a number of colleagues.

A number of colleagues across the House.

Yes, that is what I said.

The Leader's proposal is that the sitting be suspended for 15 minutes until 1.30 p.m.

Will the Leader amend that proposal?

Is the proposal agreed to?

No, it is not agreed to.

No.

Get your ducks in a row, Darragh.

Please, Senators.

I do not see why something cannot be agreed to dealing with next Tuesday's invitation. The Leader might make such a proposal immediately by way of an amendment to the Order of Business. It could read: "We agree to have Commissioner Hogan here next week."

We can certainly do that.

That would deal with the Leader's issue.

That is the amendment I will return with at 1.30 p.m.

That is settled. We will all agree to it.

Also, my office is trying to ascertain whether the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, will be available today. I cannot propose an amendment until we receive that information from her office. That is what I will be doing during the next 15 minutes.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell wants to speak.

I am proposing to suspend the sitting of the House.

The Leader has proposed that it be suspended until 1.30 p.m.

I propose an amendment to the Leader's proposal to the effect that the sitting be suspended until 1.30 p.m. and that the Minister be requested to attend the House afterwards.

The proposal only concerns a suspension of the sitting.

That is okay. It is to be suspended for 15 minutes. That is agreed to.

Is it agreed that the sitting be suspended until 1.30 p.m.? Agreed.